Escalator for Shopping Carts Injures Woman at Supermarket

ByMichael Talve, CEO

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Updated onJanuary 8, 2022

Escalator for Shopping Carts Injures Woman at Supermarket

This case involves an injury to a woman shopping at a supermarket. The supermarket was two stories and had an automated escalator used to transport shopping carts from one floor to the next. The escalator was only for carts, and an adjacent escalator was for shoppers. The plaintiff, a shopper, placed her cart on the escalator and descended on the adjacent escalator. She reached the lower floor and prepared for the arrival of her cart. There were no warning signs or suggested wait areas for retrieving the cart. Also, the two “doors” which were designed to slow the progress of the cart when it exited the escalator were absent. The shopping cart reached the lower level, but was shot out of the escalator and struck the plaintiff, which caused the plaintiff to break an ankle and suffer a concussion in the subsequent fall.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. Should the doors have been present to prevent the cart from shooting out of the cart escalator?

Expert Witness Response E-001255

inline imageI am very familiar with this type of case, as I worked as a designer and manufacturer of this type of escalator for over twenty-two years. In escalators for carts, the automatic doors at the end of the escalator (especially when the escalator is descending) is critical to prevent the cart from shooting out. If the grocery cart is filled, then the absence of doors can be dangerous as even a low speed can cause injury if it strikes an individual. In this case, without any warning sign, it appears that the grocery store was negligent in removing the doors, and they are partially liable for the injury to the woman.

About the author

Michael Talve, CEO

Michael Talve, CEO

Michael Talve stands at the forefront of legal innovation as the CEO and Managing Director of Expert Institute. Under his leadership, the Expert Institute has established itself as a vital player in the legal technology arena, revolutionizing how lawyers connect with world-class experts and access advanced legal technology. Michael's role involves not only steering the company's strategic direction but also ensuring the delivery of unparalleled intelligence and cutting-edge solutions to legal professionals. His work at Expert Institute has been instrumental in enhancing the capabilities of attorneys in case preparation and execution, making a significant impact on the legal industry's approach to expert consultation and technological integration. Michael's vision and execution have positioned the Expert Institute as a key facilitator in the intersection of law and technology.

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